The "Punctuation Used Correctly!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Trying to remember the exact date that I reminded you that I taught Graphic Arts and Photography in high school and not English.  If you have been visiting this blog site for any length of time I'm sure you have noticed that I enjoy using commas.  

The Comma

If I'm not sure that I should use one or not, I stick one in, just in case.  See what I mean!  The comma is one of the most commonly used punctuation tools, but one of the most misused.  I try not to use them more than I have to, but the problem for me is...I'm not sure at times what are the rules for using a comma!  So, I found 8 rules that tell me when I should, or should not use the comma.  Though I would share them with you in case you too might happen to write from time to time.  

Rule #1 - Lists
Commas are used when writing lists of three or more items.  There is one place in a list of items where it is optional to use a comma.  An example is:  I'm going to the store to buy flour, sugar, eggs, and yeast.  You may discard the comma after the last word before the final "and' if you wish.  It is said to be optional.  Therefore, it would be:  I'm going to the store to buy flour, sugar, eggs and yeast.

Rule #2 - Linking Independent Clauses
Independent clauses are fully-formed ideas that can stand alone as sentences, but are placed together in a sentence.  An example is:  I baked a jellybean cake, and it tasted better than I could have imagined.  This one sentence is two independent sentences joined by the word "and."  Therefore, a comma should be used before the "and" in front of the second sentence. 

Rule #3 - Dependent Clauses
Dependent clauses feature a subject and a verb, but aren't a complete sentence on their own.  If you connect an independent clause with a dependent clause, a comma is necessary.  An example is:  When I have a bad day, I try to comfort myself with a donut.  The first part of the sentence is dependent while the second half is an independent sentence, thus a comma is needed.

Rule #4 - Non-essential descriptions
If you add extra details to a sentence to bring life to the sentence, you should use commas.  An example is: The banana-split dessert, covered with a layer of whipped cream, was a perfect birthday dessert.  In this case the commas were needed to separate the descriptive "covered with a layer of whipped cream" from the rest of the sentence.

Rule #5 - Quotations
When you type something that someone is saying you need to add commas to separate the quote from the rest of the sentence.  An example is:  "I love to go fishing in the Caribbean," Jimmy said to his sister.  The comma after the quote can be in front of or after the quotation mark.

Rule #6 - Introductory elements
If you introduce a sentence with an adverb you need to add a comma after the adverb.  An example is:  Surprisingly, he hit the ball over the fence.  

Rule #7 - Addresses
Streets, cities, states, and countries need to be separated with commas when writing addresses.  An example is:  I live at 123 Jellybean Drive, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA

Rule #8 - Dates
The day, month and year in a date need to be punctuated with commas.  An example is:  I arrived at the beach on Saturday, May 19, 2020.

Now, if you have found mistakes in my use of commas in the past, please try to remember that I just found this list of rules and will do my best to remember the proper use of the comma.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "The Wisdom Of The Written Word" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just submitted the latest 2020 yearbook to Jostens Yearbook Company for the Landis Run Intermediate School in the Manheim Township School District which is located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  The school was opened eight years ago and I have been responsible for the yearbook since the school opened.  This year's book had a theme of "Friends" which was conveyed by using quotes about friends and friendship on the class pages which numbered close to 35 pages.  One of the school's language teachers had her students search for a favorite quote about "Friendship" and submit it for publication in the yearbook.  They had to document who authored the quote and include their name which were both placed next to the quote in the yearbook.  Quotes couldn't be more than a certain length or the yearbook company couldn't print them.  One evening while working on the yearbook, I too spent an hour or so looking up quotes from famous people.  Always fun as well as inspirational to view the thoughts of some of the most famous people in the world be they living or deceased.  Check out the following quotes which I have documented with whom spoke or wrote the quote.  Perhaps you will find one or a few that have meaning for you.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The only thing more dangerous than ignorance is arrogance.  Albert Einstein

We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.  Benjamin Franklin

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember.  I do and I understand.  Confucius

Don't cry because it's over.  Smile because it happened!  Dr. Seuss

There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.  Erma Bombek

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.  Eleanor Roosevelt

I like you just the way you are.  Fred Rogers

It's frightful that people who are so ignorant should have so much influence. 
 George Orwell

The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.  Helen Keller

When people are intimidated about having their own opinions, oppression is at hand.  Jimmy Carter

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.  Mark Twain

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.  
Nelson Mandela

The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude.  Oprah Winfrey

A wise man speaks because he has something to say; a fool because he has to say something.  Plato

Let us not take ourselves too seriously.  None of us has a monopoly on wisdom.  
Queen Elizabeth II

A friend is a person who goes around saying nice things about you behind your back.  
Ralph Waldo Emerson

As individual fingers we can easily be broken, but all together we make a mighty fist.
Sitting Bull

When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.  Thomas Jefferson

Doing little things well is a step toward doing big things better.  Vincent Van Gogh

The trouble with practical jokes is that very often they get elected.  Will Rogers

I have often repented speaking, but never of holding my tongue.  Xenocrates

Your preciousness lies in your essence; it cannot be lost by anything that happens.  Zhuangzi

Tell me, and then again show me, so I can know.  Zora Neale Hurston

A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.  
Donna Roberts

The "I Want To Be Like Leonardo" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Looking over the dozen or so stories I have saved which I began at one time or another and never finished.  Some of the stories are a few years old while one I began two weeks ago and abandoned.  

Leonardo da Vinci, self-portrait, 1512

But, as I read a recent story about Leonardo da Vinci, written by Tulane professor of history Walter Isaacson, I found I have some of the same qualities as him.  He had so many projects that he had started during his lifetime and never completed that they make him almost human.  Almost!  If only I could have accumulated some of the impressive projects he abandoned, I too would be a genius.  Maybe!  Of course, the things he did complete, such as the Mona Lisa, put him in a class that holds very few other human beings.  There are other people who were considered to be a genius, but they were a genius in a particular arena while Leonardo was a genius in many disciplines.  But, he was also very human and his life offers an abundance of lessons for all of us.  The following are a few bits of wisdom, as listed by Mr. Isaacson, that we can learn from Leonardo that may help us in our life as humble pions.

• Get distracted...it's OK to wander off on another tangent than what may have been you main intent, since it makes your mind richer in knowledge.
• Go down rabbit holes...in one of his many notebooks he recorded 730 findings about the flow of water and listed 67 words that describe different types of moving water.  Another notebook of his shows that he listed 169 attempts to square a circle.  He did these things for the pure joy of learning.
• Procrastinate...some of great intelligence and genius accomplish the most when they work the least.  While painting "The Last Supper" he would sometimes paint a stroke, put the brush down and return the next day to begin once more.  He liked to stop, gather all the facts and ideas and then return to his work.
• Make Lists...wow!  I have notebooks filled with lists of things I want to do someday. Now, Leonardo says to put odd things on your lists.  Leonardo's lists have been said to be the greatest testament to pure curiosity the world has ever seen.  Mine haven't been revealed...yet!
• Let the perfect be the enemy of the good...Leonardo abandoned a few of his paintings rather than produce work that was just average.
• Retain a childlike sense of  wonder...at a certain stage in our life we stop wondering about normal everyday things.  We look at the sky and no longer wonder why it is blue.  We should never outgrow our "wonder year" according to Leonardo. 
• Be open to mystery...on one of Leonardo's lists was found, "Describe the tongue of a woodpecker."  A woodpecker can extend his tongue three times the length of its bill.  When not in use it retreats back into the skull and wraps around the head and curves down to its nostrils.  Now there is absolutely no reason you need to know this, but now you do and are so the much better for it.
• Let your reach exceed your grasp...imagine, as he did, how you could divert a river or devise a perpetual-motion machine or square a circle using only a ruler and compass.  There are some problems we will never solve...but learn why.

Now, Mr. Isaacson listed quite a few more lessons that Leonardo found valuable, but I found the eight I just listed to be the most important to me and my quest to be a genius.  Maybe it will happen in my second lifetime. But, then again, it probably will never happen.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.   

The "A Pi Is A π Is A JJ's Pie" Story

It was an ordinary day.  March 14th or 3.14 written as a decimal.  And, I remembered that today is Pi day, as in π day, while watching Jeopardy on television last evening and hearing one of the contestants say that he and his wife were married on Pi day.  They were both mathematicians and therefore planned their marriage for 3.14.  If you are not aware, π day is observed today, since 3, 1, 4, or to most of you March (third month) 14 are the first three significant digits of π.  After doing some Googling last evening I discovered that there is actually a yearly celebration of Pi Day in San Francisco Exploratorium.  It was organized in 1988 by Larry Shaw who happened to work at the Exploratorium as a physicist and who had staff from the place, as well as the public, walk around one of the Exploratorium's circular spaces, consuming fruit pies.  Hey, count me in on that idea.  Then in 2009 the U.S. House of Representatives passed a non-binding resolution recognizing March 14, 2009 as National Pi Day.  The following year Google Doodle celebrated the holiday by having the word Google laid over images of circles and π symbols.  

My favorite JJ's Pies

For me, I will celebrate the day by eating what my family calls a "Larry Pie".  I found the pies while on vacation in the Turks and Caicos Islands many years ago.  They were individually wrapped pies that we found at a grocery store and were marketed as JJ Pies.  Checked the info on the wrapper and found they were made in Erie, Pennsylvania!  I loved the things and after eating over a dozen of them during vacation, they became known as "Larry Pies".  I have found a location in my home town of Lancaster, PA that sells them, so I can now consume one whenever I care to have one.   Pi Day is observed in many ways, including  MIT, or Massachusetts Institute of Technology, mailing its application decision letters to prospective students on that day and Princeton, New Jersey hosting events relating to Albert Einstein's birthday that happens to be today as well as Albert having lived in Princeton for more than 20 years.  When I was in high school I had a math teacher who inspired me so much that I wanted to be a math teacher.  Ended up being a teacher, but Pi for me has since been just a dessert.  For the mathematicians, Pi, or π, is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter and happens to be an infinitely long, non-repeating number.  I guess all mathematicians already knew that!   In 1981 an Indian man named Rajan Mahadevan accurately recited 31,811 digits of it from memory, but eight years later a fellow from Japan, Hideaki Tomoyori, recited 40,000 digits of it.  The Guinness World Record holder is Lu Chao of China who in 2005 recited 67,890 digits of π.  I'm going to start to practice and give it a try next 3.14.  My problem right now is that I don't know if I could actually count that high.  Gonna need to devour a whole bunch of "Larry Pies" before I start practicing.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - ready to give it a try....

    etc. etc. etc.

The "How You Know You're From Lancaster" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just opened my Facebook page and saw a post that my daughter Brynn and her friend Marie had made. A list of "20 Things You Know If You're From Lancaster County."  Pretty neat list so I thought I would pass it along to all those who will always have 717 as their area code and love Lancaster County as well as to those who enjoy reading about the part of the world that I call home.  So ... here you go.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

1.  You always leave the house 10 minutes early on Sunday's because you know you will get stuck behind an Amish buggy.
2.  You know exactly what the foods sweet bologna, scrapple, birch beer and Long Johns are.
   
3.  Blue Ball, Intercourse, and Bird-In-Hand are all just town names to you.
4.  You were excused from high school for the Pennsylvania Farm Show and the first week of deer hunting season.
5.  It really gets under your skin when people say "Lan-cas-ter or Lang-cas-ter" when it should be "Lang-cas-ter."
6.  You live within a mile of an Amish farm and are used to the smell of manure.
   
7.  You are used to not being able to buy beer and wine from the same store.
8.  You know that Wilbur buds are 100 times better than Hershey Kisses.
   
9.  County Fair season is your favorite season.
10.  You ate dippy eggs more often that not as a child and had no trouble ordering them in any restaurant in Lancaster County.
11.  You aren't surprised when you see things are cooked in lard.
12.  Your heart broke when the Freez-and-Friz across from the Lancaster Airport closed its doors.
    
13.  In the summers you probably meet up with your high school classmates at Marion Court.
14.  You get a free birthday breakfast from Shady Maple every year.
15.  Root's Country Market and Auction and the Green Dragon are two of you favorite places to shop.
16.  All family gatherings aren't complete without whoopie pies and shoofly pie.
    
17.  You buy your produce from Amish stands, not the grocery store.
    
18.  You drive winding roads so often you can no longer drive in a straight line.
19.  You've been asked if you're Amish.
20.  And even though strange things happen in Lancaster, you will always call Lancaster home.
    

The "The Truth, The Whole Truth, And Nothing But The Truth" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading the column in our local paper written by "The Scribbler."  Column talks about unusual topics in Lancaster County as well as answers to questions which are sent in by readers of his column.  Column runs twice a week and is written by a semi-retired writer, Jack Brubaker.  I have submitted questions a few times and always enjoyed the response that was placed in the paper or sent to me by email.  Today's "Scribbler" talked about my college Alma Mater, Millersville University.  

A postcard from years ago of Millersville Normal School's lake.

Was called Millersville State Teachers College when I was a student in the mid-1960s and known as Millersville Normal School before that.  Seems that a reader of the "Scribbler" sent him a note telling him that the College and Research Division of the Pennsylvania Library Association has made a "Reader's Digest" version of minutes from Millersville's faculty meetings from 1871 to 1950 and are available for anyone to view.  Sounded interesting so I opened one of the three links and couldn't stop reading and laughing at the entries.  Now I know most readers here probably have never heard of Millersville University or even Millersville Normal School, but the entries could have come from any college in the world.  I have posted some of my favorites from the websites, but if you care to read more, the addresses are: from 1871-1878 (crdpala.org/2015/10/28), 1883-1889 (crdpala.org/2016/03/04) and 1892-1896 (crdpala.org/2016/04/01).  Now, for some of my favorites ... ( I must tell you that when the notes say ... Mr. "X" did this or Mr. "Y" did that, it is referring to a student at the college).  So, here goes ...

 Jan. 10, 1873
Mr. Book sent out of the building for dancing in his room.
Apr. 27, 1873
Quite a lengthy discussion was entered into on the subject of pronunciation. It was agreed that the German pupils should be corrected.
November 27, 1874
It was agreed that the fol. Dining room regulations should be announced:
1. Sections. These shall consist of eight persons except at the head of the table where the no. shall be 9. Pies shall be dis. among the no. 6.
2. Carving. The meat shall be cut in thin slices and across the grain.
3. Passing Things. Each mem of a div. shall be helped to meat before anything else is passed to them. Ladies helped first. When any dish is asked for it shall be passed directly by the person most convenient to it.
4. Bread. When the crusts of bread have not been taken off before bringing it to table, the person passing it shall remove them to the side of the bread on the plate.
June 10, 1875
The pres further remarked that he had ascertained that Misses M. Ball and Updike and Messrs Hayemen and Lark had been having secret meetings at various hours during the day and evening.
Pun[ishment]. The two gentlemen and Miss Updike expelled and Miss Ball on account of her confession recommended to leave school not to return again.
Feb. 4, 1876
New Regulations. Students are not to shovel sugar into their cups nor use more than 4 teaspoonfuls. Molasses mugs to be kept in saucers when not in use.
Mar. 17, 1876
Miss Hartman stated that some days ago she found Mr. Kauffman and Miss Brice locked in Mrs. Clark’s room…The secretary read a pledge signed by Mr. Kauffman and Miss Brice which was, to effect that if they again violated any of the important regulations of the institution they would be expelled…After some remarks by several mems of the faculty Mr. Westlake moved that Mr. Kauffman and Miss Brice be expelled. The motion was seconded put and unanimously carried…
June 21, 1877
A letter from Mrs. Becca Kaffman [aka, Miss Brice, having since married Mr. Kauffman] was read by the pres. She states that she is trying for a position in the West and…she also asks the pres. to write her a recommendation in which he is not to speak of her repeated and grave violations of the regulations of the institution. The pres. said he would assist her as much as he could without making any sacrifices of principles.
September 21, 1876
That [the teachers] should take occasion now and then to speak words of kindness and encouragement to the soldiers orphans under our charge and thus make them feel happy and contented.
December 7, 1876
The chair suggested that when the teachers are absent from their classes that they leave them in charge of some competent person…Pupils should clean the boards by moving the erasers downwards.
Mar. 21, 1877
Students not to get up until 4 o’clock AM.
No jumping in the front yard.
October 18, 187[7]
Holiday to gather chestnuts to be restricted to the senior class. Ladies not to go out after tea without special permission. Clock to be turned back ten minutes so as to be with railroad time.
November 6, 1883
Some young men, one of whom is Mr. Watson, spoke on infidelity in the Page Society. The Trustees passed a resolution strictly forbidding the inculcating of any infidel doctrine in the school.  Dr. Higbee writes that no religious test or qualification can be required for admission to a state normal school, yet any student that may be of injury to a school by inveighing against the Bible and against the Christian religion, is abusing the very requirement itself by asserting in such from his own religions test, and he can be disciplined.
Millersville, January 9, 1885
The prin. stated that complaint had been entered against Mr. Albright for taking articles that do not belong to him. He had an interview with Mr. A. to investigate the matter .Mr. A. first denied having ever taken anything that was not his own, but finally with great reluctance he admitted that he had taken fruit and also a book belonging to Mr. Burg. The book had been taken some months ago and kept in his trunk. Prin. took the book from him and gave it to the owner. The Prin. further stated that a quantity of cigars belonging to one of the students were found in his trunk by Mr. Broll, his roommate. Mr. A. denied that the cigars were in his trunk but finally said if they were there he was unable to explain how they came there. In view of the admitted theft his previous record the principal requested him to withdraw from school.
Friday September 25, 1885
Mr. Byerly reported that an inappropriate use is being made of the pole in the yard.
May 14, 1886
Ladies are not to be allowed to sit or loiter about the spring, nor to go to the spring after the ringing of the signal bell. Teachers rooming near requested to see that the regulation is complied with.
May 21, 1886
Miss Landis stated that there was reason to believe that ladies and gentlemen meet and converse when out walking.
Friday, 1st October, 1886
The Principal inquired whether any pupils are homesick. No serious cases are reported.
Those who were suffering from nostalgia some time ago are convalescent.
Thursday, 14th April, 1887
The Principal was requested to make the following announcements to the school:
Pupils should not lean their heads against the Chapel wall.
Pupils should not study during Opening Exercises.
Pupils should not sit on the ground at this season of the year.
Pupils should not crowd in Recitation Hall.
Pupils should conduct themselves properly at table.
Pupils should not jump in the front yard.
Gentlemen should not use the ladies’ gate.
The “square” should be more quiet.
October 6, 1887
Mr. Early is either stupid or lazy. It is thought to be the former.
January 2, 1888
Mr. Bitner reported Messrs Heitz, Seiger, Hercheroth, Kline and Garrett went to Mr. Bowman’s room, and after being invited in they began to sing songs and make a noise; then blew out the light put snow in the bed. Mr. Garret stole Mr. Bowman’s pillow retuning it only after being requested by Mr. Bitner. It was done to annoy Mr. Bowman.
March 12, 1888
The Prin. reported that Mr. Sheaffer bought a flask of whiskey from his father’s store in Lanc. which he took without his knowledge. Mr. Sheaffer, Reflogle, Seyler, Warfel, McCulloch, and Simmons drank the whiskey in Mr. Sheaffer’s room. The four gentlemen first named were playing cards and some of them were smoking at the same time. All theses gentlemen signed a paper in harmony with the facts stated above.
September 24. 1888
Mr. Chas. H. Warfel was reported for attending a meeting of the Republicans in Room 4.
Millersville, Pa, April 11, 1889
Mr. Lansinger stated that some of the students were out boating on Sunday. The Prin. will announce that there is to be no boating on Sunday.  The Prin. will also announce that there is to be no lawn tennis or baseball played until after 3.30 P.M.  Mrs. Monroe will give her entertainments in the chapel on Friday and Saturday evenings, April 19 and 20. Her lecture on “Life in Washington” and “The Civil War” were selected.
Millersville, May 13, 1889
Mr. Mumma had a tooth extracted at Dr. Hiestand’s office. But by some accident it slipped from the forceps and went down the wind pipe. The accident was regarded by the physicians serious enough to send him to the University at Phila. where he is at present.
June 10, 1889
It was reported that some of the students were throwing stones, sticks etc. through the halls; and Mr. Ricker was detected in doing it. After some consultation Mr. Bitner moved that Mr. Ricker be suspended. The matter was referred to Messrs Byerly, Hull and Bitner as a committee to investigate the charge and report to the Prin.

June 13, 1889
The Prin. stated that Mr. Hartzler had detected some of the [?] making a noise in the front yard.
Messrs Shepp and Bartley were on a tree[?] singing songs after the last retiring bell, which was a violation of the announcement made by the Prin. in the morning of open exercises. The Prin. investigated the matter and Mr. Bartley confessed that he was on the tree[?], but Mr. Shepp would not say that he was or was not up the tree[?].  Mr. Byerly moved that the boys who were caught on the tree[?] be suspended.

Tough to believe that these were entries in the school's minutes.  I really didn't make any of these entries up or add items to them to make them funny, although you may have thought I did.  Just copied and pasted them.  Many seem so menial in today's society, but over 100 years ago our society had a much different look and feel to it.  Wonder what today's minutes will seem like to the society 100 years from now.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "St. Martin Alphabet: Part IV" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Preparing to finish my final post listing the letters of the alphabet with a few words for each letter relating to my favorite vacation spot, St. Martin in the Caribbean Sea.  So, without any other fanfare, let me begin.

• T: Ting is a fantastic grapefruit soft drink.  Carol and I found it years ago on one of our first trips to the Caribbean with our traveling friends Jerry and Just Sue.  Comes in a green bottle and has a sweet citricy flavor.  
  
  A few years after we discovered the drink, we found they had Ting in a pink color.  Both tasted the same with the only difference being the color.  For years I wished I could find the Pepsi product in Pennsylvania and then one day I went into my local Giant Supermarket and there on the shelf was Ting in the green bottle.  Now my only problem I find is that I should not be drinking the beverage since it interferes with one of my medicines.  A Time Share is one way to be able to partially own a place to stay while on the island.  I know quite a few people who own time shares, many on the island of St. Martin.  Recently I was offered a chance to buy a time share from a friend.  Still haven't decided if I want to or not.  I just don't see the big draw in having to pay a monthly maintenance fee and possibly a fee for upgrades as well as pay for the initial cost of the time share. 
• U: Umbrellas of all colors line just about every beach on the island.  

  

  Beach bars line Orient Beach with
  a multitude of different colored umbrellas.

  Many beaches have umbrellas as well as beach chairs for rent.  Many beach bars on the different islands will have a specific color for their umbrellas so as to attract people to their beach bar.  Costs vary from bar to bar as well as beach to beach.  Some include a drink with the cost of the chairs and umbrella while others will give you a free rental if you eat lunch at their beach bar.  Urchin, Sea Urchin or Sea Hedgehog all refer to the small, spiny class called Echinoidea.  

  

  The spiny sea urchin.

  There are about 950 species so it makes it a whole lot harder to tell you the exact one that I stepped on while snorkeling off Pinel Island a few years ago.  They come in all colors including black.  Urchins move slowly on the sea bottom and feed mostly on algae.  The name "urchin" is an old word for hedgehog which describes the appearance of an urchin.  So what did it feel like to step on one?  The pain was intense with pain filling my leg to my hip.  The fellow running the dive shop where we were snorkeling saw me getting out of the water and knew exactly what I had done. "It'll go away in a few hours," he said.  And, he was right. 
• V: A Vedette is a small Naval launch used for scouting or it could refer to a French mounted sentry who is a lookout for an enemy.  I use it here since one day Carol and I were visiting the French capital of the island, Marigot, and saw what looked like a naval vessel tied at anchor in the harbor.  

  

  Villa Plage d'Elan pool view.

  We questioned a worker at the market who told us soldiers are walking around in the market who came to shore from the vedette.  Never saw them myself, but did see the boat. Villa is another name for a home on the French side of St. Martin.  It sounds so neat to say we stayed in a Villa while on vacation rather than say we stayed in a house.  So much more romantic!  We have stayed in vacation homes such as Villa Jeluca, Villa Bonita, Villa Sea Haven, Villa Mayorca  and this year we will be visiting Villa Plage d'Elan.
• W:

  

  Whitecaps can be seen
  in the distance.

  Waves is the obvious word for this letter.  Some beaches have waves that will knock you down such as Baie Rouge and at times Orient Beach, while other beaches have extremely gentle waves such as the beach at Pinel Island.  Whitecaps can be seen at some beaches also, but the whitecaps usually occur in the distance since there are many reefs around the island that cause whitecaps as they break the wave activity and therefore creating whitecaps. 
• X: Xanadu refers to St. Martin in it's entirety.  The idyllic beauty of the island suggests it only exists in a myth.  The picture perfect scenes around the island, whether they be of the people, flowers, houses or even the small cities and towns make you wonder why you don't sell your home and move to the island.  Not gonna happen, since the island would no longer be our special retreat, but our home.  And home just can't be .... well, it can't be vacation.   Or, can it?
• Y: Yellow Beach is located on the island of Pinel.  

  

  Yellow Beach is covered with the
  yellow umbrellas on the island of Pinel.

  It naturally has yellow umbrellas which you can rent.  There is a restaurant closeby where you can purchase beverages as well as lunch.  Since there is no electricity on the uninhabited island, the restaurant has their own generators which they use for preparing the meals they serve.  There at one time were three places to eat, but one closed a few years ago leaving two restaurants to serve the day trippers to the island.  The Yacht Club is located on the Dutch side of the island at the Simpson Bay drawbridge.

  

  The Yacht Club restaurant can be seen
  to the left of the drawbridge.

  The bridge begins to open at 8:30 AM for boats leaving the bay area and opens every hour after that for incoming/outgoing traffic.  The restaurant at the Yacht Club sits directly along the channel under the bridge.  Fantastic chance to see the large yachts as well as smaller boats entering and exiting through the channel.  Carol and I make a visit every year to have breakfast as we watch the yachts pass by as we enjoy or croissants.
• Z: Zee Best Restaurant has two locations on the island, both on the Dutch side.  

  

  The French Toast.

  One location is near the airport while the other location in the Simpson Bay area in the Plaza del Lago.  We have visited the second location numerous times for breakfast.  The table is set with a basket of croissants which are remarkable.  I at one time thought they were complimentary, but when the bill came I realized otherwise.  They sell savory crepes as well as our favorite Zee Best Original French Toast.  Remarkable meal and very filling.      

So, I have reached the end of the alphabet.  Hope you enjoyed a few of the items I have added to my alphabetical story of our second home, St. Martin.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "St. Martin Alphabet: Part III" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Posting part three of my story dealing with words that fit into the alphabet.  Today's story will take you through the letter "S". Enjoy following with me through my journeys as they relate to the English alphabet.

• N: Nutmeg naturally is a spice which is very aromatic as well as tasty.  

  

  Spice barrels in Marigot market.

  It makes my list since it is one of the main spices that always draws me toward the stand in the Marigot market that has barrels of spices for sale.  The stand has large barrels of just about any spice in the world and the multitude of smells is at some times overpowering.  Nutmeg is not native to the Caribbean, but many seem to buy the spice from the market stand.  It is used primarily in powdered form for herbal teas, as an oil in aromatherapy or as an extract.  We usually make our yearly purchase before we depart and it lasts until we return the following year.  Novels are an important part of our vacation.  Carol can read over a dozen novels in a three week vacation while I might be able to reach half a dozen in the same time frame.  While on the beach I have trouble at time concentrating on my Kindle.  You know ... with all the other activity taking place on the beach.  And my last "N" is a good one to follow my last one.  

  

  Club "O" beach on
  Orient Bay. 

  Nude Beaches can be found on both sides of the dual-country island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin.  On the French side of the island (St. Martin), topless bathing occurs at just about every beach and every resort pool while on the Dutch side is more infrequent.  Cupecoy Beach on the Dutch side is a nudist beach, but very few beaches follow suite, even with topless bathing, on the Dutch side of the island.  On Orient Beach, Club "O" at the south end of the beach is a Naturist Resort which is usually the busiest beach on Orient Bay.  
• O: Ocean is a natural here.  

  

  The Atlantic Ocean can be seen here.

  One side of St. Martin is located on the Atlantic Ocean while the other side is bordered by the Caribbean Sea.  Can you tell the difference?  Nah!  During the time of the year when we travel to the island both the air and water temperatures are about 85 degrees.  And the ocean, whether it be the actual ocean or the sea, is an amazing 50 shades of blue.  If you have ever been to any island in the Caribbean, you know what I am talking about.  And I have to list Orient Beach as another "O" word, since it is usually ranked as one of the "Top 10" beaches in most beach surveys.  

  

  Carol relaxing on Orient Beach.

  It is a busy beach with water sports of all kind taking place and beach umbrellas of all colors lining the beach in front of a large variety of beach bars.  The main beach bars are Kontiti, Kakao, Bikini Beach, Waikiki and Coco Beach.  They are referred to as the "5 Stars of Orient Bay", but they are only a few of the many that dot the coast along Orient Bay.  A trip to St. Martin is not complete if you haven't made a stop at Orient Beach.   
• P: Philipsburg is the capital of the Dutch side of the island.  It to was at one time protected by a fort: Fort Amsterdam.  

  

  Fisheye view of the Boardwalk
  at Philipsburg.

  The fort was at one time a great tourist attraction, but over time has been neglected and is not longer a big draw.  The town has two main streets; Front Street, which runs along the Great Bay waterfront, and Back Street which runs parallel to Front, but one block away from the water. On the other side of Back Street is the Great Salt Pond.  More shopping takes place in this town than in any other town I have ever been to in the Caribbean. And, Carol and I have been part of that shopping extravaganza.  Pinel Island is a short ferry ride from French Cul De Sac.  It is a beautiful island with no running water or electricity.  

  

  From the top of beautiful Pinel Island
  looking toward St. Martin.

  The island is uninhabited except for the very large iguanas which wait by the two beach bars for scraps to be thrown to them.  A small gift shop sells some great products and the bathing here is remarkable.  Their are no waves at all and the sandy beach is only waist deep 30 feet into the ocean.  Another must trip for vacationers.  

  

  A Pareo on display at Pinel Island.

  A Pareo is a wraparound skirt.  It was originally used only to refer to woman's skirts, but today it is used as a term for any piece of cloth worn wrapped around the body whether it be a man or a woman. There are many times made of silk in bright colors featuring beach scenes or animal scenes.
• Q: Quiet time is always appreciated while on vacation.  Relieving stress is important to all and what better way to do that then to go on vacation.  Carol and I love the beach and all that goes with it, and our stress level while on vacation is at a minimum, but for many others on vacation, quiet time is achieved in a variety of other ways.  
• R: Ravioli is one of my favorite meals.  

  

  My favorite meal.

  Being that we travel to one of the best islands in the Caribbean for food connoisseurs, I can find my favorite many places on the island.  Il Netuno has the best butter sage ravioli on earth, but there are many others that come close with a variety of different sauces on the ravioli.  Round-a-bouts are a real challenge, but a pretty neat way to alleviate traffic problems at intersections.  Luckily in St. Martin you drive on the right side of the road as you do in the U.S.  The real challenge comes when a country, such as Barbados or St. Thomas, has round-a-bouts and you have to try your luck with them.  The U.S. should have more of them and traffic would proceed through busy intersections much quicker.  Rhino Boats are one of the tourist attractions that Carol and I tried a few years ago.  

  

  Carol and I on our Rhino Boat.

  The boats are big rectangular inter tubes with a solid bottom and a outboard motor at the rear.  It is meant for two people, I believe, and you sit on a center seat with your legs straddling the seat.  At times you take flight after hitting a wave.  Flying across the water in one of these Rhino Boats is a thrill of a lifetime.  

  

  Roland signing our print.

  Carol and I took the Rhino Safari Excursion and had fun in the boat as well as snorkeling at various spots on our excursion.  Roland Richardson, knighted by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands in 2007, was born on St. Martin to a family whose French Caribbean heritage dates back to the 1700s.  He paints "en plein air", working in the field, always from a living subject.  This quirky artist has a gallery/home in Marigot where he paints many days so you can view him at his work.  Carol and I purchased one of his canvas prints a few years ago which we prize as one of our favorites.  Meeting him and talking with his was as much fun as buying the canvas.  
• S: The Sugar Bird, also known as the Bananaquit, is a species of passerine bird.  

  

  Sugar birds eating our sugar.

  It is about the size of a finch and has a black head with white stripes, black wings and a yellow body.  When we shop at the grocery story after we arrive in St. Martin, we always buy a box of granulated sugar to feed the sugar birds.  They are a nectar eating bird, but do love to eat the sugar.  A bowl of sugar will find a gathering of sugar birds as long as it is filled with sugar.  They also enjoy a cup of water which they will drink, but will also use to take a bath.  Oh, the things that can entertain a couple of old folks is unlimited.  Sunglasses and Suntanning Lotion are necessary items in the Carribean.  
  
  The sun's rays can be very damaging to skin as well as eyes.  Since I wear glasses for my vision, I have glasses that tint when subjected to sunlight.  They work very well to protect my eyes as well as to make it easier to see.  Carol uses sunglasses at all times as well as tinted reading glasses for the beach.  We used a very high SPF when we travel to St. Martin since it is closer to the equator and the sun's rays are more intense than at the New Jersey Shore where we travel in the summer with our family.   The Swing Bridge is a new addition to the island two years ago.  

  

  The Swing Bridge.

  It crosses Simpson Bay and helps funnel the traffic away from the busy Dutch side of the island.  It cuts the time for us from the airport to the Orient Beach vicinity by at least 15 minutes or more.  It also relieves the stress that goes along with driving in another country.  

  

  St. Maarten of Tours Catholic Chruch.

  The St. Maarten of Tours Catholic Church sits between Front Street and the Boardwalk in Philipsburg.  It is the most beautiful church on the island with its bright yellow stucco walls and impressive statues that stand in their courtyard.  I have taken a multitude of photos of this church over the years.  A few years ago, when they rebuilt the Boardwalk entrance to the church, I took a series of photos showing how it was completed.  

  

  Shirt designs at Secret Spot.

  Secret Spot is a stand in the Marigot market.  Carol and I have been visiting it every year and making purchases for ourselves and friends.  Secret Spot sells hand printed silk-screened T-shirts that are designed and printed on the island.  Really neat designs that you won't find elsewhere on the island.  I enjoy talking to the owner about their procedures in printing since I too used the same procedures when I taught graphic arts in high school.  

Well, today's alphabet is finished.  There were so many items I could have listed for each of the letters, but I decided on those that would show you both sides of the island as seen through a traveler's eyes.  Tomorrow will complete the alphabet and hopefully give you most of the ABC's of the island.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Vacation Preparations Are Beginning!" Story

A trip to Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch
side of the island is a must.

It was an ordinary day.  And … I'm excited!  Just pulled up the American Airlines web page and saw that airfare for our next vacation in the Caribbean has just been reduced over $100 per person.  Now I could have just ordered the tickets myself, but I choose to use my travel agent, Karen, so that I have less trouble keeping up with cancelations, re-booking, etc. that goes with purchasing your own airfare.  For over 15 years now I have ordered the tickets through Karen at Liberty Travel.  I know I have to pay for the service, but the couple of bucks that it costs is worth not having to constantly check the AA website to see if the flight has changed or has been canceled.  

A ferry ride to Pinel Island is always a fun day excursion.

I need to get into vacation mode now and begin the process of buying medical travel insurance, a "Park and Fly" hotel room near the Baltimore/- Washington Inter- national Airport, canceling the newspaper, calling the credit card companies to report upcoming travel plans, sending an email to the rental company in St. Martin to give them my credit card # to pay the balance on our rental, renting a car for vacation, lining up a house/cat sitter, …. and the list goes on and on.  

Heading to Le Piment, our favorite island restaurant, is
a tradition for our first night on the island.

But, it gets you in the mood for vacation.  And, it's fun to do when the snow is accumu- lating on the ground outside my home office window.  The prepara- tions for travel are at times stressful, but they really get me into the mood for vacation.  Lists must be prepared in preparation for the trip.  What clothing to take along, what camera equipment to take along, what electronics to take and what books to place on the Kindle must all go on a list.  

A visit to the Ma DouDou "factory" to pick up a few bottles
of island flavored rum is always a must.

Another list will show the side trips we want to take once on the island, the restaurants we want to visit, the island friends we want to visit, the gifts we want to purchase, and the flavors of Ma DouDou rum that we need to buy to bring back with us.  Now I know this may seem like endless tasks to perform just to go on vacation, but it's the anticipation of the trip and the planning that makes the time go more quickly before it is time to finally go through security at the airport and board the plane.  

And, vacation would not be complete without a trip
to the Sunset Bar and Grill to watch the planes land.

Carol just got an email from a former friend from work who thought we should see just one more landing at the Princess Julianna Airport before we fly there once again.  Rather frightening landing, but that is how the big commercial jets land on the island.  That is why visiting the Sunset Bar and Grill, at the end of the runway, is on our list of things to do.  Just love to take photos of the planes making their landings.  Actually that's always on my list every year!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.